The 2013 Buick Enclave has received a five-star overall vehicle rating for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Enclave, which is equipped with a standard front center air bag, was also named a 2013 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The American automaker contributes the five-star overall vehicle safety rating to the front center air bag, which is an inflatable restraint designed to help protect drivers and front passengers during a far-side impact crash. The air bag deploys in milliseconds from the inboard side of the driver’s seat, between the driver and front passenger.

“Safety is a key consideration for all car buyers, and particularly when it comes to family-oriented luxury vehicles,” said Gay Kent, GM general director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness. “The Enclave is designed to provide excellent crash safety, and goes one step further by offering a front center air bag – an industry first in crash protection.”

Taking an almost $2,000 base price increase over last year’s model, the 2013 Buick Enclave gets a host of additional standard equipment and revised styling.

“The original Enclave was a catalyst for the Buick, defining the brand’s high standards of design and refinement,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick Marketing. “The new 2013 model takes another step forward with a bolder look and advanced technologies.”

Offered with three different equipment groups, standard features include a seven-inch touch screen, a rear view camera with rear parking assistance, HID headlights, a remote start system and a power liftgate among others. Apart from that, every model will also come with GM’s industry-first front center airbag which debuted in the 2013 Acadia.

Two more trim levels are available: the Leather Group and Premium Group, the first of which starts at $43,285 and adds features like memory seats, the obvious leather upholstery as well as blind spot detection and a cross traffic alert system.

The top-end Premium Group includes everything from the previous level and adds standard 19-inch chrome wheels, articulating headlamps, a Bose stereo, cooled front seats and more. As the best-appointed package, the premium Enclave starts at $46,450, but well equipped with all-wheel drive, navigation and a trailering package easily runs the car into $50,000 territory.

GALLERY: 2013 Buick Enclave

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/09/2013-buick-enclave-price-jumps-2000.html/feed1more]]>Buick IntelliLink Infotainment Standard on all 2013 Modelshttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/07/buick-intellilink-infotainment-standard-on-all-2013-models.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/07/buick-intellilink-infotainment-standard-on-all-2013-models.html#respondMon, 30 Jul 2012 15:22:48 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=147205Buick IntelliLink Infotainment Standard on all 2013 ModelsBuick‘s IntelliLink infotainment system, which debuted on the 2012 Verano, is now being made standard equipment for every single model year 2013 Buick vehicle. IntelliLink focuses on minimizing driver distractions with features like voice activation and steering wheel controls, and bases many of its features on smartphone integration. Pandora internet radio is one such application that... more]]>

Buick‘s IntelliLink infotainment system, which debuted on the 2012 Verano, is now being made standard equipment for every single model year 2013 Buick vehicle.

IntelliLink focuses on minimizing driver distractions with features like voice activation and steering wheel controls, and bases many of its features on smartphone integration. Pandora internet radio is one such application that can be used when paired with a smart phone, and controlled using voice commands. A three month SiriusXM subscription is also included in the purchase of a new Buick vehicle, and is now equipped with SiriusXM travel link, a service that provides info such as nearby fuel prices, movie theater show times, and weather reports.

To help customers get to know their vehicles, Buick has created a call center which is designated to helping customers figure out their infotainment system. Seeing as infotainment systems were cited as being too complicated in this J.D. Power study, GM is taking steps to prevent future customers from having problems.

“Our next generation infotainment customer will demand a higher level of service, support and solutions due to their interactive technical experience,” said Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president of Buick Sales and Service. “This is one more way that we are working to deliver an exceptional customer service experience.”

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/07/buick-intellilink-infotainment-standard-on-all-2013-models.html/feed0more]]>Supermodel Marisa Miller Stars in New Buick Enclave Ad Video Teaserhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/05/supermodel-marisa-miller-stars-in-new-buick-enclave-ad-video-teaser.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/05/supermodel-marisa-miller-stars-in-new-buick-enclave-ad-video-teaser.html#respondWed, 09 May 2012 14:08:31 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=133517Supermodel Marisa Miller Stars in New Buick Enclave Ad – Video TeaserAfter recent ads featuring Ving Rhames and Shaquille O’Neal, Buick is moving from strength to sexiness in its latest ad, employing the talents of supermodel Marisa Miller. Known for her work for Victoria’s Secret and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues, Miller was also ranked number one in Maxim‘s Hot 100 list in 2008. She’s even... more]]>

After recent ads featuring Ving Rhames and Shaquille O’Neal, Buick is moving from strength to sexiness in its latest ad, employing the talents of supermodel Marisa Miller.

Known for her work for Victoria’s Secret and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues, Miller was also ranked number one in Maxim‘s Hot 100 list in 2008. She’s even done some ad work before, in an extremely sexy spot for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Miller is staring in a new ad for Buick, promoting the redesigned 2013 Enclave. Referred to an “Attractiveness Expert”, Miller highlights the car’s tech features with a humorous twist. Watch the behind-the-scenes teaser below and watch for the full commercial to launch May 14th.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/05/supermodel-marisa-miller-stars-in-new-buick-enclave-ad-video-teaser.html/feed0more]]>2013 Buick Enclave Emerges With New Exterior and Technologyhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/04/2013-buick-enclave-emerges-with-new-exterior-and-technology.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/04/2013-buick-enclave-emerges-with-new-exterior-and-technology.html#commentsTue, 03 Apr 2012 16:31:55 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=1253722013 Buick Enclave Emerges With New Exterior and TechnologyThe Buick Enclave has been a great seller for the company, helping it beat out competitors from Acura, Audi and Lincoln. Before its 2012 New York Auto Show debut, Buick is showing off the latest chapter in its Enclave success story. The 2013 Buick Enclave shows off a new sculpted design, as well as new LED daytime running lights, and... more]]>

The Buick Enclave has been a great seller for the company, helping it beat out competitors from Acura, Audi and Lincoln. Before its 2012 New York Auto Show debut, Buick is showing off the latest chapter in its Enclave success story.

The 2013 Buick Enclave shows off a new sculpted design, as well as new LED daytime running lights, and LED taillights. Other Buick details like chrome grille and accents help round out the look, and make it instantly recognizable as a Buick.

Inside the Enclave, the new IntelliLink infotainment system helps usher in a modern feel to the Buick. Blue LED ambient lighting carries forth the high-tech feel.

Aside from the infotainment system, the Enclave features luxurious touches like soft touch materials and live stitching throughout the cabin.

The Buick Enclave offers three rows of seating, and with both the second and third row folded down, it offers more cargo space than the Mercedes-Benz R Class, Infiniti JX, Acura MDX, Lincoln MKT, Audi Q7 and the Volvo XC90.

The Enclave is still available in front or all wheel drive, and is powered by the same 3.6 liter V6 with an updated six-speed automatic. Buick points out that the FWD Enclave can hit 24mpg on the highway.

Check out the full gallery below, and keep checking back for more New York Auto Show news.

Gallery: 2013 Buck Enclave

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/04/2013-buick-enclave-emerges-with-new-exterior-and-technology.html/feed1more]]>2013 Buick Enclave Interior Photo Leaked Ahead of NY Auto Show Debuthttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/03/2013-buick-enclave-interior-photo-leaked-ahead-of-ny-auto-show-debut.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/03/2013-buick-enclave-interior-photo-leaked-ahead-of-ny-auto-show-debut.html#respondFri, 30 Mar 2012 15:02:38 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=1245452013 Buick Enclave Interior Photo Leaked Ahead of NY Auto Show DebutThe Buick Enclave is getting a makeover for 2013, and to preview what we will see next week at the 2012 New York Auto Show, GM Inside News has released an interior photo of the vehicle. The photo shows us the center stack, and previews the new Intellilink infotainment system. The Enclave will also retain an... more]]>

The photo shows us the center stack, and previews the new Intellilink infotainment system. The Enclave will also retain an analog clock, and gain some nice wood grain interior accents. Many of the interior upgrades will follow suit with what we saw in the 2013 GMC Acadia at the Chicago Auto Show.

The exterior will surely be upgraded as well, and we can expect revised bumpers, wheels and headlights. Buick also announced that the Enclave will offer “industry-exclusive safety features”, which will surely include the new front-center airbag which can be found on the Acadia and Traverse.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/03/2013-buick-enclave-interior-photo-leaked-ahead-of-ny-auto-show-debut.html/feed0more]]>GM Develops Auto Industry’s First Front Center Air Bag [Video]http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/09/gm-develops-auto-industrys-first-front-center-air-bag.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/09/gm-develops-auto-industrys-first-front-center-air-bag.html#respondFri, 30 Sep 2011 15:00:49 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=85756GM Develops Auto Industry’s First Front Center Air Bag [Video]General Motors will be offering the industry’s first front center air bag in select vehicles. This inflatable restraint will help to protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle. You’re going to have to wait a bit for the new front... more]]>

General Motors will be offering the industry’s first front center air bag in select vehicles. This inflatable restraint will help to protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle.

You’re going to have to wait a bit for the new front center air bag – it will be introduced on the 2013 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Chevrolet Traverse midsize crossovers (it will come standard on Acadia and Traverse with power seats and all Enclaves).

Here’s how it works: found in between the front row seats near the center of the vehicle, the tethered, tubular air bag deploys from the right side of the driver’s seat. It protects the driver when they are the only occupant in the event of a passenger-side crash. When there is a driver and a front passenger, it acts as energy absorbing cushion in both driver- and passenger-side crashes. As well, it will offer protection if your vehicle is involved in a rollover accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System database, far-side impact crashes account 11 percent of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover impacts between 2004 and 2009 involving 1999 model year or newer vehicles. The stats go on to show that in these far-side fatalities, where the occupant is on the non-struck side of the vehicle, also represent 29 percent of all the belted front occupant fatalities in side impact crashes.

Partnering with technology supplier Takata, GM’s front center air bag took three years to develop. It went through a series of designs to address packaging, cushioning, and restraint issues that could occur in different crash and occupant position scenarios.

Even though the front center air bag is not required by federal regulation, it will add to the vehicles’ third-party crash test performance results. “The front center airbag has real potential to save lives in side crashes,” said Adrian Lund, president of the insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “GM and Takata are to be commended for taking the lead in this important area.”

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/09/gm-develops-auto-industrys-first-front-center-air-bag.html/feed0more]]>2013 Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia to Get Mild Makeoverhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/06/2013-chevy-traverse-buick-enclave-gmc-acadia-to-get-mild-makeover.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/06/2013-chevy-traverse-buick-enclave-gmc-acadia-to-get-mild-makeover.html#commentsTue, 14 Jun 2011 14:24:42 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=682382013 Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia to Get Mild MakeoverHitting the market back in 2007, the GMC, Buick and Chevy large crossover trio have continued with strong sales despite almost zero updates. That will change for the 2013 model year, with changes planned for all three of the Lambda machines, although you might not notice the changes at first glance. Rather than update the... more]]>

Hitting the market back in 2007, the GMC, Buick and Chevy large crossover trio have continued with strong sales despite almost zero updates. That will change for the 2013 model year, with changes planned for all three of the Lambda machines, although you might not notice the changes at first glance.

Rather than update the appearance of the Traverse, Acadia and Enclave, GM will instead change the only key area that is drawing complaints – the interior. In addition to what is expected to be a serious redesign with improved materials, housed in a more modern center stack will be GM’s new infotainment system. Called MyLink for Chevrolet or Intellilink for Buick-GMC, look for a large LCD touch screen to control everything from Bluetooth to audio, as well as OnStar integration.

The next-generation Lambda vehicles aren’t expected until 2016, with Cadillac reportedly gaining a version, while the GMC Acadia will be dropped.